When should I introduce the MC's love interest?

History_Chick · Jul 17, 2009

I have a dilemma, or what I think is one.

I am on my second draft. I noticed that my MC's love interest doesnt show up for 44 pages (single spaced) into the book. Is this too long?

We all talk about quick pacing with YA novels and I'm thinking that this is an issue. Or maybe I am just making it out to be one.

Help.

kaitlin008 · Jul 17, 2009

It depends on what your book is about. If the plot centers around the romance, then I'd guess it's probably too late. But if the romance is just a subplot, I don't think it should matter.

Although I just reread that and saw how you said 44 pages single spaced, so that's pretty far in. So I really have no idea. I guess only you or someone who has read it could say for sure.

Wark · Jul 17, 2009

Mine will show up after around 10k words, maybe as early as 7k. I have to establish my MC first.

wandergirl · Jul 17, 2009

yeeeah, that seems pretty far, subplot or no. I think a pretty good rule of thumb is the first three chapters. Doesn't need to be made obvious, but at least an introduction. One of my biggest problems with Little Brother was that we don't meet Ange, the MC's love interest, until pretty far in the story. It made me care much less about their relationship -- I went in thinking he'd hook up with another girl friend of his we met in chapter one.

Are there a couple places you can stick in a moment/intro/convo with the LI, just so we get started thinking about him/her?

YAwriter72 · Jul 17, 2009

My LI for US doesn't show up till halfway through, though there is another guy (A friend) but my second book, he's there pretty much from the beginning. (But doesn't become LI until about 2/3 through)

History_Chick · Jul 17, 2009

wandergirl said:
Are there a couple places you can stick in a moment/intro/convo with the LI, just so we get started thinking about him/her?

Yeah I can introduce him earlier. And thats what I thought. I could jockey some chapters around, its not a big deal, really. But it did seem a little late to me.

kaitlin008 said:
It depends on what your book is about. If the plot centers around the romance, then I'd guess it's probably too late. But if the romance is just a subplot, I don't think it should matter.

Although I just reread that and saw how you said 44 pages single spaced, so that's pretty far in. So I really have no idea. I guess only you or someone who has read it could say for sure.

The plot doesnt center around the romance, but its an important part.

Thanks for the help

I'm thinking my gut instinct was right.

tengraceapples · Jul 17, 2009

Hey!

I think the LI should come in much sooner. Even if it isn't a romance novel, having the LI there changes something inside and maybe even outside for the MC. It can add another dimension to the scenes if the LI comes in earlier.

When should I introduce the MC's love interest?

History_Chick

kaitlin008

Seeing newness all the time

Wark

Mark Brockman

wandergirl

~kirsten hubbard

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride

History_Chick

tengraceapples